Professor Jason Arday - plagiarism etc

On the clearly related subject:

I don't think we can avoid a degree of Identity Politics. After all, the phrase "woke" originated in US black politics where leaders in the Black movement urged both black and white people who were aware of the quite gross racism in the USA to "wake up".

Similarly, I can't be the only one who recalls from Women's struggles in the 1970's who made it quite clear "The Personal Is Political.

How men treated women, how all at the time treated gay people, and so on, at the time, could not be divided into the personal and the political.

*Both are aspects of both social change and how we relate to each other. How we treat each other. How society treats or values us. What measure are taken or laws are passed in order to give equal opportunities

- not to mention what we still have not achieved, freedoms from abuse/bullying at work and in the home.

That is not to say Identity politics are more important than the wider measures society chooses to take: rather, that they are inseparable.

I generally find those obsessed with identity politics treat those from these groups in the most bizarre manner I have ever seen.

Professor Jason Arday is still currently employed as the Professor of Sociology of Education at the University of Cambridge. The serious allegations of academic misconduct against him are being scrutinised and investigated. The University of Cambridge states they are taking these matters "extremely seriously”.

The outcome no doubt will be reported when available, in high profile if founded but likely a lower profile if not. If the allegations are founded I would imagine Cambridge University has the appropriate sanctions in place. If some or all claims are founded, and if that results in loss of employment- that would result in his post becoming vacant.

Any previous unsuccessful applicants will be able to apply on merit to a vacant post that may result.

Just because someone is racially prejudiced does to mean that every thing they say is untrue. merely that they will highlight any information they find that is to the disadvantage of the person accused - and the information this man found was pretty damning

I still do not understand how some one could be appointed a professor, other than an honorary one, whose academic attainments were not already well known and proven to those involved with appointing him.

It is numerous organisations po8ntibg out concerns unless we are now saying they are all institutionally racist, and Wateraid, etc.

Sorry phone gremlins

Assuming I am understand you correctly, I presume that once someone gets promoted, the things claimed, and assumed verified previously, would not be looked at and questioned again? ifyswim.

To M0nica post

Galaxy

It is numerous organisations po8ntibg out concerns unless we are now saying they are all institutionally racist, and Wateraid, etc.

'Concerns' that happened in their organisations?

If so and the concerns were of a serious nature why didn't those organisations investigate, find out the facts, and take appropriate action at the time?

I think people also underestimate 'the process is the punishment' part of this for the whistleblowers. Very few people are brave enough to be whistleblowers, and I don't, in a sense blame them. One journalist who reported on the allegations was reported to the police, many of us have watched how whistleblowers have been treated, it frequently requires courage, financial security and the hide of a rhinoceros.

Nathan Cofnas, is also a person who has faced academic controversies of his own. He faced his own Cambridge University, Emmanuel College internal scrutiny and investigations. As a result, eventually he was sacked.

Cafnas bought a claim against the University. It went to court.

The College argued that Cafnas actions had caused "a hostile, intimidating, unwelcome and degrading environment for members of the College and that he had caused "a crisis in the student community". The judge agreed. Cafnas lost his case.

Cafnas may still hold a grudge?

I'm sure there is a lot more to the story, and time will tell about the extent of the deception, but I agree with WWM that 'the X card' is a dubious phrase. It suggests that racism (or sexism, MH or whatever) is a game, and diminishes the claims of those who say that they are being discriminated against. It also suggests that those in vulnerable groups hold 'trumps' that are inevitably going to win every argument, which is clearly unfair.

Some may be swinging the lead, but many won't be, and others will firmly believe that they are being discriminated against even if a tribunal or court finds otherwise. It's important that we don't minimise their claims, or stop them from voicing concerns by talking about 'cards'.

LemonJam Cafnas may still hold a grudge?

Quite possibly, but the allegations of plagiarism and outright lying by Arday are either true or untrue. When he accepted the publicity and praise for all his "achievements" he equally accepted scrutiny of their genuineness.
If he hasn't plagiarised and his claims of running 600 miles in 6 days, raising £5 million for charity etc etc are true then he will have been exonerated. If he is guilty of the accusations made against him should he be treated differently to anyone else guilty of the same offences just because a load of people signed a petition?

I don't know how there could be a lot more to the story without it becoming a Greek myth. It certainly out Salt Paths the Salt Path.

His memoir is to be released next month, I cant decide if this is disastrous or genius publicity.

Galaxy

I don't know how there could be a lot more to the story without it becoming a Greek myth. It certainly out Salt Paths the Salt Path.

That made me smile 😊

The support and admiration for the authors of that saga soon faded away once the truth emerged but of course there hadn't been a petition of support signed by the 'great and good'.

Galaxy

I don't know how there could be a lot more to the story without it becoming a Greek myth. It certainly out Salt Paths the Salt Path.

Well, there will be people saying they could have had jobs and publications and so on had this not happened - that's the sort of implication I mean.

Like M0nica, I am surprised this hasn't come to light before now.

Galaxy

I think people also underestimate 'the process is the punishment' part of this for the whistleblowers. Very few people are brave enough to be whistleblowers, and I don't, in a sense blame them. One journalist who reported on the allegations was reported to the police, many of us have watched how whistleblowers have been treated, it frequently requires courage, financial security and the hide of a rhinoceros.

I haven't read any posts that anyone has underestimated anything with regard to whistleblowers.

I’m reading your posts but reflecting on what factual detail you may have in explanatory and contextual support to give a meaningful consideration and response.

For example, in what way has Cafnas been punished as a whistleblower for making his claims against Arday? Or any other whistleblowers in this case? Cfanas' s terminated Cambridge University Contract and his failed court case against Cambridge university predated his claims against Arday. Cafnas no doubt was paid for his newspaper stories? His claims against Arday in respect of Cambridge University are being investigated, which is right and proper.

What specific whistleblowing concerns do you say have been raised by Wateraid and 'other numerous' organisations? How many 'numerous' organisations do you claim had concerns? Did they investigate such concerns at the time? If so what did they do as a result of their investigations and were any respective whistle blowers punished?

I understand the Police asked the journalist in question to stop contacting Arday directly, nothing more, nothing less. The police most likely had a reason for advising this course of action.

What happened to the salt path people did they just get away with it all?

I think some of it came to light a couple of years ago doodledog if you look at some of the reporting. So it appears a number of charities that had links with him began editing the claims to more reflect reality back in 2025. I would guess this has been some time in the making.

Seems Arday WAS not averse to playing the race card after all.

Jack Grove, a reporter for Times Higher Education (THE), was accused of harassment after he emailed a series of questions to Prof Jason Arday about his academic record. Mr Grove said officers told him to stop contacting the professor because his “mental health” had been affected by the questions.

Prof Arday also hired the law firm Carter-Ruck, which suggested in a letter to THE that its “apparent attack” on him “may be... racially motivated”.

Galaxy

What happened to the salt path people did they just get away with it all?

As far as I'm aware, while being discredited they remain rich from the book sales and film rights. Last I heard they live on the Lizard peninsula.

The support and admiration for the authors of that saga soon faded away once the truth emerged but of course there hadn't been a petition of support signed by the 'great and good'.

10,000 of them.

Doodledog

I'm sure there is a lot more to the story, and time will tell about the extent of the deception, but I agree with WWM that 'the X card' is a dubious phrase. It suggests that racism (or sexism, MH or whatever) is a game, and diminishes the claims of those who say that they are being discriminated against. It also suggests that those in vulnerable groups hold 'trumps' that are inevitably going to win every argument, which is clearly unfair.

Some may be swinging the lead, but many won't be, and others will firmly believe that they are being discriminated against even if a tribunal or court finds otherwise. It's important that we don't minimise their claims, or stop them from voicing concerns by talking about 'cards'.

Thank you for putting this so very clearly.

As someone in the mental health field both as a worker, in my training, and as a customer at times in my life:

It makes me very angry when some poor soul is labelled as "using the card".

Time to stop using it: period.

It can do untold damage when a vulnerable person is jammed into a category they have no control over.

I'm not saying in any of the categories we have alluded to people never take advantage of situation, but its "damns the lot" quite grossly.

We wouldn't dream of saying it of an abused or raped woman they are "Using a card" if they cannot remember or recall all exactly, or not have the words/the intellect to put it well enough for a good outcome for them.

But it happens

Rosie51

LemonJam Cafnas may still hold a grudge?

Quite possibly, but the allegations of plagiarism and outright lying by Arday are either true or untrue. When he accepted the publicity and praise for all his "achievements" he equally accepted scrutiny of their genuineness.
If he hasn't plagiarised and his claims of running 600 miles in 6 days, raising £5 million for charity etc etc are true then he will have been exonerated. If he is guilty of the accusations made against him should he be treated differently to anyone else guilty of the same offences just because a load of people signed a petition?

I agree that if allegations of plagiarism are found to be true and found to be serious he should face the appropriate sanctions in the same way as anybody else. It will be ruinous all round for sure.

Investigation of plagiarism is a proper instrument designed to protect academic integrity, wellbeing and intellectual property. Thats is the crux of the claims and concern.

To have such instruments weaponised disproportionally against black academics however is a reportedly a thing. Conservatism activists trawling exclusively through the work of black academics, looking for anything to weaponise against them, inconsistencies, citation errors, passages in their work that are similar to other papers is disproportionate and arguably discriminatory.

Ofcourse as soon as an error is identified, right wing media outlets and conservative politicians join the pile on- heaping pressure on universities to cut ties.

Claudin Gay, the first black woman to become president of Harvard university, was only in the post for 7 months before she was forced out by plagiarism allegations. Some academics have killed themselves in such a situation.

Cafnas is a proven 'race realist' which infers some antipathy to black academics, and perhaps he also has antipathy to Cambridge University as a result of his terminated post and court case loss. Possibly.

Concerns of academic misconduct I take seriously and ofcourse should be investigated accordingly. They may be proven against Arday- and if so dealt with appropriately. He won't be the first and won't be the last University professor to face claims of plagiarism and be investigated.

The stakes are ruinous for Arday if plagiarism claims substantiated in a high profile Cambridge University. C University will have to be seen to take action if so and also face questions about their recruitment and selection process.

However, why the self righteousness (e.g from Cafnas) and why the extent of the pile on during a live investigation?